Hillsborough County to Launch Economic Development Innovation Initiative

$2 million in funding available to help grow Hillsborough County’s technology ecosystem

Hillsborough County officials will be joined by business and community leaders for the launch of the Economic Development Innovation Initiative (EDI2) program. The event will take place Tuesday, June 25 at 2 p.m. at Middleton High School in Room 402, located at 4801 N. 22nd Street in Tampa (use the Wilder Ave. entrance).

EDI2 is a comprehensive program developed to drive the growth of technology and innovation start-ups and small businesses. The program encompasses the need for financial, technical and infrastructure support, and addresses the desire of the County Commission and the business community to support and build entrepreneurship. Commissioner Mark Sharpe championed this program and continues to support the technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in Hillsborough County. This enhanced program is built on a collaborative effort with non-profits, companies and other community partners specializing in this segment of the economy. The purpose of this program is to support the growing entrepreneurial ecosystem, not to fund individual companies. The $2 million in funding that has been made available for the program will be distributed over three years.

The EDI2 program is focused in three strategic areas:

– Support events that increase awareness, attract new talent, and create networking opportunities or activities that promote the industry.

– Align County resources more strategically to advocate for the start-up community and support research efforts to ensure the successful implementation of the EDI2 program.

Staff will be available at the launch to answer questions about the program, the EDI2 Advisory Committee, and the applications process. For additional program or application information, contact Stephanie Cvetetic with the Economic Development Department at cvetetics@hillsboroughcounty.org or call 813-272-6217.